By Ian Sheard, BSc (Hons), Physics – University of Nottingham 2014-2018. Media/Admin Assistant in the University of Nottingham Press Office. Regardez-vous der Tannenbaums Franco-German linguist I may not be, but I do know a thing or two about Christmas trees. In this regard, I flatter myself that I am completely normal. I have yet to …

It’s World Soil Day today, the annual awareness day run by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. The event aims to raise awareness of the importance of soil quality for human well-being, food security and ecosystems. Here’s just a flavour of the soil science and facilities that support the University of Nottingham’s internationally recognised research …

He’s up to his eyes in papier mache, fabric cutting and foam boards – but he’s not giving much else away! What he is doing is under wraps until the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures are televised on the Tuesday 11, Thursday 13 and Saturday 15 December. Tom Clayton, a technician in the School of Chemistry, normally trains researchers in state-of-the-art …

Sir Peter Mansfield is on a list of eligible names nominated in the first week of the Bank of England’s search for the face of the new £50 note. The Bank of England wants to feature someone who has contributed to science. The list of all eligible nominations will be posted once the nomination window closes on Friday …

The Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments is kicking off its 50th anniversary year by holding a major event to train the scientists of the future. To mark its landmark birthday, FRAME will hold its twelfth specialist Training School in collaboration with the EU H2020 VetBioNet Project, in its home city of …

Attending and speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary group on Data Analytics has been one of the highlights, so far, of Christopher Conselice’s week in Westminster. He was the only academic to attend the meeting and after making his own contribution he’s convinced more scientists and academics can make a real contribution to future policy. In …

…. the phrase of the day at the Vat and Fiddle in Nottingham to launch the new ‘Sir Peter Mansfield’ beer – Castle Rock’s autumn season Nottinghamian Celebration Ale. The beer, to honour the Nobel laureate, physicist and Nottingham-based MRI pioneer, Sir Peter Mansfield, is a traditional Nottingham-style five malt bitter. The unique recipe was created …

Children in the UK are benefitting from a Maths app learning tool thanks to an International Aid project that started in Africa. The specially designed app allows children to work through engaging exercises at their own pace, in their own language. An in-app teacher guides children through the content being taught. Childrens’ knowledge is assessed through a quiz at the end of each …

‘When the Uncertainty Principle goes to 11’ or ‘How to explain Quantum Physics with Heavy Metal’ Yes, a professor of physics at the University of Nottingham, has published a new book which provides an ‘entertaining’, ‘enlightening’ and ‘metal-sci’ view into the mysterious and mind bending world of Quantum Physics! Philip Moriarty in the School of Physics and Astronomy, says chugging guitars, choked cymbals, artificial harmonics and mosh pits each have their own parallels in the physics …

They created the world’s smallest periodic table; they sent the Queen a 90th birthday message etched on a corgi hair; so, how are experts at the University of Nottingham’s Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (nmRC) marking the World Cup? They have joined forces with 3D printing experts in the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) – these chemists, engineers and specialist technicians have created a set of nanoscale football shaped structures in the style of a Russian Doll – one …